Slashing success

Standby: LCpl Mick Allen and Pte Ali Abbas, both of 176 AD Sqn, prepare to attach the suspension line for a cargo net to an Iroquois from A Sqn, 5 Avn Regt, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 05. Photo by Brandon Teeples, US Navy

Dropping in: A 3RAR paratrooper arrives with the dawn. Photo by CPL Bernard Pearson

Moving on: A 3RAR soldier patrols away from the drop zone. Photo by Cpl Bernard Pearson

By Lt Simone Heyer

THEY dropped from the sky, rumbled over land and steamed in over sea in an action-packed Exercise Talisman Sabre 05, the biggest combined joint exercise in Australia since Crocodile 03.

More than 17,000 personnel from the Australian Army, RAN, RAAF, USMC, US Navy, US Air Force and US Army – as well as a handful of Britons on Exercise Long Look – descended on the east coast of Queensland for the exercise from June 12-30.

The coordination of troops on the ground in Rockhampton and SWBTA, aircraft flying from RAAF Bases Amberley and Townsville, and US and Australian ships in the seas around central and north Queensland demonstrated the high levels of organisation between Australian and US forces.

While forces moved into place over the past month, TS05 began in earnest with a jump by Alaskabased 1/501st Parachute Regiment at 1am on June 19. After a DZ clearance by components of 9FSB, the Australian Airborne Battle Group jumped in and moved into position.

Commander of the Combined Exercise Control Group Forward Rockhampton Lt-Col Dick Filewood said while there were last minute changes to the airborne drop, insertion elements were successful.

“After land insertion, the airborne and amphibious forces married up in a central position and commenced engagement of OPFOR,” he said.

“Opfor was predominantly 2RAR with a company of 1/501st Parachute Regiment.”

TS05 was in two significant phases: a CPX controlled from the ADF Warfare Centre and operations at SWBTA.

Lt-Col Filewood said all key objectives of the exercise were met.

“Talisman Sabre provided the opportunity to practice the Australian and US Forces in working together in a combined and joint environment,” he said.

“The exercise tested our interoperability and will lead to a refinement of procedures and doctrine.

“A key goal of the exercise was to improve Australian and US combat readiness through combined training, to demonstrate commitment to regional security and maintain the war fighting proficiency between the two forces.”

He said that adverse weather delighted local farmers but caused a few difficulties with the exercise.

“We experienced some bad weather which had some impact on air operations, and ground operations were a little slower,” he said.

At an exercise open day that coincided with the Rockhampton Show, the ADF was on display for the local community. Highlights included demonstrations by 42RQR and the Red Berets; an F-111 flyover; and the 7th Fleet’s band leading the parade.

Lt-Col Filewood said the next Talisman Sabre was already uppermost in planners’ minds, with a planning conference scheduled for August. Australia will lead the planning for TS07.

More on Ex Talisman Sabre next edition.